News

United Way awards $445,409 in grants supporting 20 nonprofits

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 14, 2023

United Way of Henderson County made new grant awards totaling $445,409 that will support 35 programs at 20 local nonprofit agencies in the coming year, the nonprofit announced.

This is the second year of a two-year competitive funding cycle supported by 40 community volunteers. Grant awards benefit Henderson County nonprofit agencies with programs aligned with United Way impact areas: education, financial stability, health and basic needs.

The grant funds will support nonprofit programs that address kindergarten readiness, school success, affordable housing, economic self-sufficiency, healthy youth behaviors, physical activity & nutrition, and basic needs and crisis services.

"Our community investment grants are part of our multi-faceted approach to addressing community needs," said Denise Cumbee Long, executive director of United Way of Henderson County. "And, our careful process of vetting recipient agencies using panels of community volunteers ensures donors that their dollars are used wisely and well."

In addition to annual community investment grants, United Way also provides a variety of other types of community support, including directed donor designations to specific nonprofit agencies, the NC211 resource and referral helpline, additional resources like MyFreeTaxes and SingleCare's prescription discount program, two community-wide volunteer events that benefit local nonprofits and schools, special fundraisers for food pantries and coordination of supply drives for food and other needs, and programs like Rising Leaders and Girls Empowered.

Long estimates United Way's overall impact this year to the local community at more than $1.7 million.

"We are grateful for all the many partners — nonprofit agencies, businesses, donors, and volunteers — who have come together to make our community a better place," she said. "Bringing neighbors to help neighbors is what we do best!"